Return to Loveland (pt.3)
Today started with an earlier-to-rise, faster-to-eat, and into school for the first class -- theory and composition. It was the last day of finals, and the students in the class were playing us their projects. Many of them had scored films, and most of the films were shot by the students, or by friends of the students... and they were pretty dang FUNNY. There was some really impressive writing, and a lot of variety and individuality being expressed, and both Tom and I were very impressed. There's NO WAY I could've written anything like what these students were coming up with when I was in high school.
Tom had rehearsals the rest of the day, so I mostly practiced, listened to tunes, and discussed some more interpretive ideas with Shilo regarding his solo part in Sticks & Stones. I was amazed at his patience -- every time I'd come barging into his practice room with a new idea or suggestion, he was open and intent on trying to work out my musical intentions.
After a quick trip back to the hotel, it was time for the concert. On the drive back to school, it came out that my good friend and BCM brother, Eric Whitacre, was in town. I immediately whipped out my cell phone and gave him a call, and after a few exchanges, he worked it out so he could come to the concert!
As soon as I arrive, I'm told that they've got the Playstation 2 game, GUITAR HERO, fired up in the next room. I head back there and strap on this plastic-mini-guitar controller, and attempt Jimi Hendrix' "Spanish Castle Magic" on the Normal difficulty level.
I'm not gonna candy-coat it here, folks. It was very fun to play, but I sucked. HARD.
After 2 or 3 tries, and enough photographs taken so the internet could SEE how bad I sucked at this game, I decided it might be best to stop getting boo-ed off the a video game stage, and maybe practice a real guitar so I didn't get boo-ed of the real one!
So then I'm warming up in the band room, and all of a sudden, Nicki and my friend Barry Kardon shows up! Barry is a guitarist as well, and moved from Chicago to Boulder about 2 years ago. It was extremely cool of him to make such an effort to come to this concert. We talked for a few minutes, and then he headed back to the cafegymateria to find a place to sit.
It's getting close to the last ensemble, and we're getting our things together to head backstage. Suddenly, my friend Jerod Tate and his wife Ursula pop their heads in the door! They came in from Longmont to be here. Jerod is an excellent composer and pianist, and he has been in my creative corner from the very beginning when we were roommates. He has always been encouraging of my composition endeavors, and I was very honored that they were going to be present this evening.
If it wasn't enough to have all these people there for me... if it wasn't enough to have an entire concert of my music being performed... if it wasn't enough to have conductors and musicians who respected and appreciated my work... if it wasn't enough to be able to perform as a guitar and bass guitar soloist in front of a standing-room-only audience... there was no way this evening couldn't be a peak musical experience.
And it was.
My sincerest thanks to all the musicians who made this concert come off so beautifully -- you put forth a great deal of time and effort to making my music sound great, and when it was over, I hope that you felt it was time and effort well spent. You played wonderfully, and I am very, very grateful for all your hard work and dedication.
My thanks to Eric, Barry, Jerod and Ursula for making the effort to come and be with me this evening -- I really appreciate your friendship and support.
A big thanks to Tom Leslie, for all that he's done, and for all that he will undoubtedly do -- not only for me, but for a great number of other musicians out there.
A huge thanks to Shilo, for rockin' the drums AND bass guitar AND for doing it all with grace, professionalism, and a TON of musicality.
And the biggest thanks goes to Mr. Peter Toews, who had the vision to ask for a drumset and wind ensemble piece, and the nerve to program FIVE pieces by one young, up-and-coming composer, all in one concert. Thanks so much, bud -- it was even better working with you the second time, and I'll look forward to the next time we can make music together.
Tom had rehearsals the rest of the day, so I mostly practiced, listened to tunes, and discussed some more interpretive ideas with Shilo regarding his solo part in Sticks & Stones. I was amazed at his patience -- every time I'd come barging into his practice room with a new idea or suggestion, he was open and intent on trying to work out my musical intentions.
After a quick trip back to the hotel, it was time for the concert. On the drive back to school, it came out that my good friend and BCM brother, Eric Whitacre, was in town. I immediately whipped out my cell phone and gave him a call, and after a few exchanges, he worked it out so he could come to the concert!
As soon as I arrive, I'm told that they've got the Playstation 2 game, GUITAR HERO, fired up in the next room. I head back there and strap on this plastic-mini-guitar controller, and attempt Jimi Hendrix' "Spanish Castle Magic" on the Normal difficulty level.
I'm not gonna candy-coat it here, folks. It was very fun to play, but I sucked. HARD.
After 2 or 3 tries, and enough photographs taken so the internet could SEE how bad I sucked at this game, I decided it might be best to stop getting boo-ed off the a video game stage, and maybe practice a real guitar so I didn't get boo-ed of the real one!
So then I'm warming up in the band room, and all of a sudden, Nicki and my friend Barry Kardon shows up! Barry is a guitarist as well, and moved from Chicago to Boulder about 2 years ago. It was extremely cool of him to make such an effort to come to this concert. We talked for a few minutes, and then he headed back to the cafegymateria to find a place to sit.
It's getting close to the last ensemble, and we're getting our things together to head backstage. Suddenly, my friend Jerod Tate and his wife Ursula pop their heads in the door! They came in from Longmont to be here. Jerod is an excellent composer and pianist, and he has been in my creative corner from the very beginning when we were roommates. He has always been encouraging of my composition endeavors, and I was very honored that they were going to be present this evening.
If it wasn't enough to have all these people there for me... if it wasn't enough to have an entire concert of my music being performed... if it wasn't enough to have conductors and musicians who respected and appreciated my work... if it wasn't enough to be able to perform as a guitar and bass guitar soloist in front of a standing-room-only audience... there was no way this evening couldn't be a peak musical experience.
And it was.
My sincerest thanks to all the musicians who made this concert come off so beautifully -- you put forth a great deal of time and effort to making my music sound great, and when it was over, I hope that you felt it was time and effort well spent. You played wonderfully, and I am very, very grateful for all your hard work and dedication.
My thanks to Eric, Barry, Jerod and Ursula for making the effort to come and be with me this evening -- I really appreciate your friendship and support.
A big thanks to Tom Leslie, for all that he's done, and for all that he will undoubtedly do -- not only for me, but for a great number of other musicians out there.
A huge thanks to Shilo, for rockin' the drums AND bass guitar AND for doing it all with grace, professionalism, and a TON of musicality.
And the biggest thanks goes to Mr. Peter Toews, who had the vision to ask for a drumset and wind ensemble piece, and the nerve to program FIVE pieces by one young, up-and-coming composer, all in one concert. Thanks so much, bud -- it was even better working with you the second time, and I'll look forward to the next time we can make music together.
3 Comments:
Wow, that sounds like an amazing couple of days! I wish I could have been there for the Bonneython.
Hurry up and post a recording of Sticks & Stones!!!
Hey, Thanks for the rights to the concert recording! I wonder if iTunes would sell it? That would be sweet.
Hey Dude!!
I really appreciate that you actually trusted us to commission Sticks and Stones, and that you took the time to come and help us! It was definately cool hangin out with you!!! Keep crankin out the good tunes man! Cant wait to hear Water colors once it is out. Where could I buy a recording?? Lemme know on myspace if ya could!
<3 KT
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